Connecticut Men's Gathering

Our Purpose​

The purpose of the Connecticut Men’s Gathering (COMEGA) is to empower men to create and foster a community where the invitation is to break down the internal barriers that cause isolation. This in turn inspires the courage in each man to consciously explore the challenges in his life, and to bring forth his authentic self. He is empowered to bring his newly found awareness, commitments and passions back to his relationships and to his community. Twice a year this opportunity is experienced as a weekend format where men are provided this chance to safely journey from their heads to their hearts, thereby revealing and celebrating their true masculine spirit, often experienced as a feeling of brotherhood.

Our Mission

To deepen men’s experience beyond limiting stereotypes and toward greater authenticity by offering structured experiences of community that educate and foster growth of mind and heart.

Our Plan

Our plan is to empower men and to create and foster community, inspire courage and break down barriers.

Our New Beginnings

We are developing two important projects designed to educate and foster growth of the mind, heart and spirit of men. We are directing our energy towards:1. Helping to create additional groups of men who are currently non-affiliated with any men’s group. We look forward to expand opportunities for men to join with other men in either professional, shared interests, or special interest groups.2. Helping veterans to become aware of COMEGA and participate and enjoy our weekends and other activities. Helping veterans become connected to men in COMEGA will help them discover that we offer an open, trusting and non-competitive environment.

At Our​ Weekends

Through various workshops and activities, in small and large groups, COMEGA provides an open, trusting and non-competitive environment. Men are provided an opportunity to safely journey from their heads to their heart, thereby revealing and celebrating their true masculine spirit, often experienced as a feeling of brotherhood.We create an environment where men learn to share with one another- their life experiences; and examine their strengths, limitations, dreams, and to express their talents. We create an environment that invites trust and welcomes and respects differences.

​Why Did COMEGA Become a 501(c)3 Not-for-Profit, Tax-Exempt Organization?

Over the past two years the members of the Organizing Committee — the OC — have occasionally been asked why did we become incorporated? This was not an easy decision to make, nor an easy process to carry out. There was fear among some of the long time attendees that the mystery and spirit of COMEGA would disappear. After an incident that occurred on a COMEGA weekend a few years ago, we began asking questions about the liability of being a member of the OC. We took those questions to an attorney who told us that the OC members could/would be held liable for any incidents that occurred related to COMEGA activities. We had men who had been long time contributors to the OC, step down due to this liability.

There were discussions with one of the COMEGA founders, who thought the idea was good not only for the liability issue, but would also open other doors for us. Becoming a 501(c)3 could increase the number of donations we receive, because those donations would be tax deductible. We would also be in a position to seek grant monies in the future. These increased revenues would allow COMEGA to reach out and expand its vision to populations of men that we currently do not or cannot reach.

We proceeded with the incorporation process with the goal of keeping the current weekend gatherings as they have been. We wanted to maintain the “Spirit of COMEGA” as much as possible.

Each member of the OC participated in the process, and the decision to incorporate was unanimous.

At the present time, we are discussing possible outreach programs that we might be able to develop to reach more men, such as veterans and teens. We are also having ongoing discussions about broadening the diversity of the COMEGA gathering populations.

We welcome feedback and input from all of you if you are interested in participating in this process.

The Spirit of COMEGA lives in the men who attend, not in legal documents. September, 2012